Missouri Governor: Police Released Video Of Robbery To Attack Michael Brown’s Character

[deminks]

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/08/17/3472208/nixon-video-not-right/

As controversy continues to rage over the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown at the hands of a police officer, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said on Sunday that he disagreed “deeply” with the release of a video allegedly depicting Brown robbing a convenience store, and was not informed of the tape before it was unveiled by Ferguson police.

Ferguson, Missouri police chief Thomas Jackson came under fire this week after he approved the release of a video allegedly showing Brown stealing cigars from a shop. Ferguson residents and people across the country have decried the timing of the tape’s release, especially since the events of the video — which the U.S. Justice Department reportedly advised the Ferguson police department not to release — are in no way connected to the incident that resulted in Brown’s death.

Responding to questions from host Andrea Mitchell on NBC’s Meet the Press, Nixon said on Sunday that neither he nor the Missouri highway patrol — which has taken over law enforcement operations in Ferguson — were aware that the video was going to be distributed to press. He said he opposed Jackson’s decision to unveil it while Brown’s death is still under investigation:

MITCHELL: But then the local police chief released that video. What justifies releasing that video about the convenience store while there are still no details about what happened with the shooting itself? That is what caused everything to erupt again on Friday night and eventually led to the curfew being imposed?

NIXON: We and our security team and the highway patrol didn’t know that was going to be released, and I don’t think the Attorney General knew that. Quite frankly we disagree deeply I think for 2 reasons. Number one to attempt in essence to disparage the character in the middle of a process like this is not right. It’s just not right. And secondarily it did put the community and, quite frankly, the region and the nation on alert again. These are old wounds, these are deep wounds in these communities and that action was not helpful.

(end snip)

[L0oniX]

1. That was obvious from the start.

[VanGoghRocks]

2. If such is the case, why aren't they arresting Ferguson PD Chief Jackson on conspiracy to

obstruct justice charges? And the entire leadership cadre of that death squad? Because it's all 'poutrage' for the rubes.

[earthside]

3. This gets to the nub of the problem.

A lot of the media are calling it 'incompetence' by the Ferguson Police Department.

I think it may very well be and indeed it appears to be a conspiracy by the FPD to obstruct justice motivated by bigotry and a desire to 'protect' one of their own.

There is a reason why none of the pertinent information and reports about the actual crime have been released.

Looters and vandals are not the problem; the protests are not the problem -- the problem is stonewalling leading to a lack of justice in Ferguson.

[VanGoghRocks]

4. The entire social contract is shot through, justice being merely

one component thereof.

There are now allegations out there that Wilson (and maybe one other officer) fired into Brown after he was already on the ground. If such indeed is the case, that might explain the stonewalling.

I'm so god-damned mad about this now I can barely think straight. So I think I'm going to step away from the PC for a bit to collect my thoughts and tamp down my anger.

Thank you for responding.

[L0oniX]

5. The "blue code" by its very nature is a conspiracy.

[earthside]

6. More video of 'cigar' incident.

See here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025400413

Now, why wasn't this portion included with the earlier video release?

More indications of a conspiracy to obstruct justice on the part of Ferguson Police Department.

[pintobean]

7. Nixon is an idiot

and he's playing politics with this whole issue. Battles inside Missouri's Democratic party shouldn't be dragged into any of the stuff happening in Ferguson. It does a disservice to the people of Ferguson and the family of Michael Brown.

Ever wonder why the County Prosecutor is never included in the press conferences? Because Nixon, Clay and Dooley are pissed at him for helping to get County Executive Dooley thrown out in the recent Democratic primary. Dooley wasn't just beaten, he was upset and clobbered by a 2-1 margin.